Bio

Chris Slade, born October 30, 1946, in Pontypridd, Wales, is a rock drummer who has enjoyed a long and varied career. His musical journey can be traced back to 1963; Chris came from the same villge as fellow Welshman Tom Jones and played drums in the singer’s backing band, The Squires, for seven years. His first real success came in 1965 when ‘It’s Not Unusual’ was recorded. Chris subsequently toured with Tom Jones all over the world before quitting in 1969 to join a group called “Toomorrow” whose vocal attraction was an Australian blonde called Olivia Newton-John.

Returning to session work, Chris recorded albums with Tony Hazzard and Tom Paxton in 1970, before becoming a founding member of Manfred Mann’s Earth Band in January of 1971. He was to spend seven years with the band, recording eight albums and achieving three UK Top Ten singles in the process: ”Joybringer’ (No. 9, October 1973), ‘Blinded By The Light’ (No. 6, September 1976 & #1 USA) and ‘Davy’s On The Road Again’ (No.6, June 1978). Chris, along with some other former Earth Band members, also headed up a short-lived off-shoot of the band that Chris had named “Terra Nova” in 1978, producing one recording and a few live shows.

“An Earth Band without Chris Slade would be like a bird without wings”

– BARRY WINTONS

After the Earth Band era, Chris recorded two albums in 1979, first with Frankie Miller, and next with Kai Olsson, before joining Uriah Heep in time to play on their ‘Conquest’ album in 1980 + 2 years in the band. After that, Slade teamed up with Gary Numan to make the I Assasin album & touring, playing with Pino Palladino on Bass. Bad Company guitarist Mick Ralphs included Slade in The Mick Ralphs Band – that same line-up also toured as the band for Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour on his About Face Tour all through 1984. After the close of that tour he teamed up with Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers and bassist Tony Franklin to form “The Firm” at the end of 1984. The Firm, produced two excellent albums for Atlantic in 1985 and 1986 that gave them a few radio hits including “Radioactive” and “Satisfaction Guaranteed.”

“The all important drum seat was filled by Chris Slade of Manfred Mann’s Earth band and Tom Jones’ fame. But Jimmy (Page) had to wait until Chris came off the road from the Dave Gilmour tour. Jimmy didn’t mind, Chris was a monster drummer and well worth the wait..”

– TONY FRANKLIN

Then Chris joined up with Gary Moore on a temporary basis, taking over from Cozy Powell just four days before the start of the 1989 ‘After The War’ tour. It was at one of Gary Moore’s gigs in The UK that Malcolm Young saw Chris Slade play. After the tour it was Chris’s intention to put together a band with ex-Aerosmith guitarist Rick Dufay. But the call from AC/DC scuppered those plans as he was destined to tour and record with them over the course of the next five years, playing on their acclaimed “Razors Edge” Album, and giving a killer performance on their concert DVD “Live from Donington”.

After his stint with AC/DC Chris joined up with 80’s prog-rock band “Asia”, who (even with the many personnel changes over the years) had still been managing to churn out some excellent music. Chris recorded with them on their 2000-2004 studio recordings, “Aura” and “Silent Nation”, and put forth his “trademark” energy-filled live performances on all the subsequent tours that ensued.

“We would just like to add that we wish Chris all the best and he will always remain a friend of Asia.”

– GEOFF DOWNES

Having parted ways with “Asia” in 2005 to pursue other musical ventures, and his new line of personalized “Drums” and “Drum Jewelry”, Chris made an album with english power trio”Damage Control” featuring Pete Way of “UFO” and Robin George.

“We are over the moon…we now have a world class drummer!.”

– ROBIN GEORGE

Slade then worked with ledgendary guitarist Michael Schenker of UFO and MSG off and on between 2005 and 2010 as well as touring extensively worldwide.
As if he wasn’t busy enough around the world with sold out shows in Brazil, Europe, Russia and USA, former AC/DC drummer Chris Slade has launched a new band ‘THE CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE’ to mark 50 years as a professional rock drummer.

The band is set to tour the UK and Europe throughout 2013 and beyond, with dates being added all the time. For this new project, Slade has taken on board supreme bassist CHRIS GLEN formerly original member of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band and MSG and more recently his fellow band member in The Michael Schenker Group. From Holland, LEON GEOWIE the dynamic vocalist of Dutch band VENGEANCE and Slade’s other band STEEL CIRCLE. This formidable three are joined by phenomenal vocalists STEVE GLASSCOCK with the added stunning musical techniques of both guitarist JAMES CORNFORD and keyboard player MICHAEL J. CLARK then you most certainly have a band to be reckoned with and worthy to mark Slade’s illustrious musical career.

This is a totally new concept for Slade and as the band name suggests will include performances from a varied set list from Tom Jones, Manfred Mann’s Earthband, Uriah Heep, The Firm, ASIA, MSG, David Gilmour, Gary Moore along with a fair degree of AC/DC numbers and many surprises to be unwrapped along the way.

Please look out for radio and press interviews and announcements by joining the FACEBOOK page THE CHRIS SLADE TIMELINE for future updates and some interesting vintage photos and videos of Slade’s career.